Removal of trinitrotoluene from aqueous media

Abstract

There is provided a process for removing trinitrotoluene from waste water resulting from the manufacture of trinitrotoluene, the process comprising forming an admixture of the waste water and an amino group containing compound of the formula (CnH2n+1)m(NH(CH2)x)yNHz, wherein n is 1 to 25, m is 1 to 3, x is 1 to 5, y is 0 to 5, z is 0 to 2 or the amine and a cationic compound of the formula (CnH2n+1)4N+X-, wherein n is 1 to 25, and X- is Cl-, Br-, SO4H-; stirring the mixture to form a water insoluble reaction product of trinitrotoluene, and recovering the reaction product from the substantially trinitrotoluene free waste water.

We claim: 
     
       1. A process for the treatment of waste water from the manufacture of trinitrotoluene, said process comprising: a. forming an admixture of (i) waste water comprising an aqueous solution of trinitrotoluene and (ii) an amino group containing compound of the formula   (C.sub.n H.sub.2n+1).sub.m (NH(CH.sub.2).sub.x).sub.y NH.sub.z     wherein n is 1 to 25, m is 1 to 3, x is 1 to 5, y is 0 to 5, z is 0 to 2, alone or with a cationic compound of the formula     (C.sub.n H.sub.2n+1).sub.4 N.sup.+ X.sup.-     wherein n is 1 to 25, and X -  is Cl - , Br - , SO 4  H -  ;     b. stirring the mixture to form a water insoluble reaction product of trinitrotoluene, and   c. recovering the water insoluble reaction product from the waste water.   
     
     
       2. A process as defined in claim 1 where said trinitrotoluene is 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene. 
     
     
       3. A process as defined in claim 1 wherein said waste water, before treatment, includes colored decomposition products of trinitrotoluene. 
     
     
       4. A process as defined in claim 1 wherein the amino group containing compound is selected from the group consisting of 1-dodecyldiethylenetriamine, 4-dodecyldiethylenetriamine, N-oleyl- 1,3-diaminopropane, N-tall oil fatty-1,3-diaminopropane, N-Coco-1,3-diaminopropane and N-tallow-1,3-diaminopropane. 
     
     
       5. A process as defined in claim 1 wherein the amino group containing compound is selected from the group consisting of n-butylamine, n-propylamine, ethylene diamine, diethylamine, diethylenetriamine, alkylaminobispropylamine and the cationic compound is selected from the group consisting of dodecyltrimethyl ammonium salt and hexadecyltrimethyl ammonium salt. 
     
     
       6. A process as defined in claim 1 wherein in step (a), the molar ratio of said amino group containing compound of trinitrotoluene is in the range from 1:1 to 5:1. 
     
     
       7. A process as defined in claim 1 wherein the cationic compound is used in amounts which provide an initial molar ratio of this compound to trinitrotoluene of from 0.5:1 to 2:1. 
     
     
       8. A process as defined in claim 1 wherein the concentration of trinitrotoluene in said waste water after treatment, is 1 ppm or less. 
     
     
       9. A process as defined in claim 1 which is carried out at ambient temperature. 
     
     
       10. A process as defined in claim 1 which is carried out at an elevated temperature. 
     
     
       11. A process for the treatment of waste water from the manufacture of said compound, said process comprising: a. forming an admixture of 4-dodecyldiethylenetriamine and waste water comprising an aqueous solution of trinitrotoluene, said admixture having a molar ratio of 4-dodecyldiethylenediamine to trinitrotoluene of about 2:1;   b. stirring the mixture at ambient temperature for a period of from 24 to 48 hours, to form a water insoluble reaction product of substantially all of said trinitrotoluene, and   c. recovering the water insoluble reaction product from said waste water.   
     
     
       12. A process for the removal of trinitrotoluene from waste water from the manufacture of said compound, said process comprising: a. forming an admixture of N-tallow-1,3-diaminepropane and waste waters comprising an aqueous solution of trinitrotoluene, said admixture having a molar ratio of N-tallow-1,3-diaminepropane to trinitrotoluene of about 2:1;   b. stirring the mixture at an elevated temperature of about 80° C. for a period of about 8 hours to form a water insoluble reaction product of substantially all of said trinitrotoluene, and   c. recovering the water insoluble reaction product from said waste water.